Ang-1 promotes homing of endothelial progenitor cells on renal ischemia and reperfusion injury in male rats

Abstract

Objective To assess whether angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) promoted the homing of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to protect kidneys from ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) in male rats. Methods Recombinant adenovirus encoding Ang-1 gene (Ad- Ang-1) was used to infect EPCs, and the transfection efficiency was identified. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected EPCs suspension liquid which was transfected by Ad-Ang-1 from the femoral vein of rats after the operation method of IRI-operated group. At 24 h and 72 h after reperfusion, serum samples were respectively collected for renal function. Besides, kidney tissues were harvested to observe renal morphology changes. Subsequently, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Ang-1 and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) expression levels in the kidneys were measured with quantitative real-time PCR and Western Blot at the indicated time points after reperfusion. Results The renal function was significantly improved, after EPCs transplantation with Ad- Ang-1. At 72 hours after reperfusion, expression levels of VEGF, Ang-1 and Ang-2 in the kidneys of EPCs-treated rats were significantly increased. Conclusions EPCs transplantation with Ad- Ang-1 in the treatment of kidney IRI in rats is effective. In addition, Ang-1 would play important roles in the protective effect of homing of EPCs on renal acute IRI, and further promote renal angiogenesis. Key words: Reperfusion Injury; Kidney; Transfection; Stem Cells